Solstice Minerals Uncovers New High-Grade Copper-Gold Zone at Nanadie
Solstice Minerals has intersected a new high-grade copper-gold zone at its Nanadie Project in Western Australia, signalling strong potential to expand its existing mineral resource. The latest Phase 1 drilling results reveal significant copper, gold, and silver grades that could reshape the project’s future development.
- New high-grade copper-gold zone identified in Phase 1 RC drilling
- Key drillhole NANRC018 returned 106m at 0.86% copper and 0.23g/t gold
- Results suggest potential to expand current 40.4Mt Mineral Resource Estimate
- Phase 2 drilling planned to test open high-grade intercepts and depth extensions
- Deposit remains open along strike and at depth, supporting further exploration
Emerging High-Grade Zone at Nanadie
Solstice Minerals Limited has announced a significant breakthrough at its 100%-owned Nanadie Copper-Gold Project, located in the Goldfields region of Western Australia. The company’s Phase 1 reverse circulation (RC) drilling program has uncovered a new high-grade zone, particularly highlighted by drillhole NANRC018, which intersected 106 metres grading 0.86% copper and 0.23 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 201 metres to the end of the hole. This includes narrower, richer intervals with copper grades exceeding 1.5% and accompanying gold and silver credits.
Implications for Resource Expansion
The discovery of this new mineralised zone approximately 500 metres northwest of previously known high-grade areas reinforces the potential to materially expand the current Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 40.4 million tonnes at 0.4% copper and 0.1g/t gold. The broad intercepts in both NANRC018 and NANRC019, including a combined 256 metres at 0.30% copper in NANRC019, underline the bulk tonnage potential of the deposit. Elevated silver grades associated with the copper-gold mineralisation add further value to the resource.
Strategic Drilling and Exploration Plans
Encouraged by these results, Solstice is advancing plans for Phase 2 drilling, which will include diamond tails to extend the depth of key high-grade intercepts identified in NANRC001, NANRC004, and NANRC018. The company’s CEO, Nick Castleden, emphasised that several RC holes ended in strong mineralisation at the operational depth limit, making diamond drilling a logical next step to fully delineate the deposit’s potential. The ongoing exploration aims to test strike extensions, depth extensions, and geophysical targets along the MRE.
Geological Context and Mining Potential
The Nanadie deposit is hosted within a mafic intrusive complex characterized by disseminated and veinlet sulphide copper-gold mineralisation. The mineralisation starts just below a shallow soil cover, which could support low-strip, high-volume mining scenarios in the future. The deposit’s geological setting and the continuity of mineralisation over significant strike and depth dimensions position Nanadie as a standout copper-gold system in the WA Goldfields.
Looking Ahead
With assays pending for eight additional holes from Phase 1 and Phase 2 drilling imminent, Solstice Minerals is poised to refine and potentially grow the Nanadie resource base. The company’s methodical approach to exploration and resource expansion reflects a clear strategy to unlock the full value of this strategically important copper-gold asset.
Bottom Line?
Solstice’s latest drilling success at Nanadie sets the stage for a resource upgrade that could significantly enhance the project’s commercial prospects.
Questions in the middle?
- How will pending assay results from the remaining Phase 1 holes influence the resource model?
- What are the expected timelines and targets for the upcoming Phase 2 diamond drilling program?
- How might metallurgical characteristics and mining studies impact the feasibility of future development?
